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Is There a Market for Novel Encapsulation Technologies?

March 25, 2013Category:

In the past few years, novel encapsulation technologies have become a hot topic in the thin-film, printed end electronics communities. Many of the latest materials platforms for displays, lighting and solar panels appear to require higher performance encapsulation technologies. And in response to this apparent need, new alternatives have appeared in the marketplace; notably multilayer barrier films and conformally deposited coatings.

This sounds like the makings of a good business case. Unfortunately, recent history seems to be saying otherwise. The start-up firms that have believed in this business case have not been a happy crew. Symmorphix and (quite recently) Cambridge Nanotech have gone out of business. Vitex has been swallowed up by Samsung. And other startups are confessing that they are no longer sure how they are ever going to make big money out of their clever encapsulation ideas.

So here is the encapsulation paradox. Some of the most exciting new thin-printed-organic technologies apparently need new kinds of encapsulation. Yet there is good empirical evidence that firms cannot make money providing these novel species of encapsulation. What is missing from this picture?

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Plug In to Materials Trends for Smart Grid Applications

July 01, 2009Category:

While the current electrical grid is a modern marvel, the smart grid of the future will include significant electrical storage as part of the solution to increase the grids efficiency, enhance reliability, and help reduce the environmental impact of supplying the electrical power needs of modern society. As a result, NanoMarkets believes chemical batteries, ultraâcapacitors, and the materials from which they are built represent an exciting business opportunity that is poised to take off in the near future. This report is designed to quantify that opportunity and identify the best strategies to capitalize on it.